Welcome to the Cloud Wars Minute — your daily news and commentary show, hosted by Cloud Wars Founder Bob Evans. Each episode provides insights and perspectives around the “reimagination machine” that is the Cloud.
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In this Cloud Wars Minute, Bob Evans explains why SAP is extending its RISE program to small and mid-sized companies through a new initiative called GROW.
Highlights
00:40 — For the last 50 years, SAP has been known as one of the world’s most accomplished technology companies through its applications, and more recently, its platform business, says Bob. An area where SAP is making some “big jumps” and innovations is in its go-to-market program.
01:03 — Just over two years ago, SAP launched its RISE program, which the company deemed as “business transformation as a service.” The point of the program is to take away complexities that customers face when collecting industry data and best practices. RISE provides customers seeking a specific business outcome with the “best way to go.”
01:47 — Now, SAP has extended its RISE program — which was aimed at large corporations — to the mid-market and small companies and had called the initiative GROW.
02:25 — RISE has been enormously successful for SAP over the past few years. Recently, SAP CEO Christian Klein told Bob that RISE is the “heart” of the company’s strategy and one of the most important launches the company has ever had.
02:52 — GROW is aimed at mid-market companies, and focuses on:
- Time to value
- Simple processes
- Industry models
- Predictable pricing
03:20 — In a recent interview, Scott Russell, SAP’s Head of Global Customer Success and a member of the Executive Board, told Bob there is a huge opportunity for SAP’s big partners ecosystem to add its own new capabilities and expertise to help small and mid-sized customers that use GROW.
